Furthermore, when I travel to visit family and friends in NYS, I also have to leave my CCW behind, so having the 870 (which is NYS legal) allows me to go without being completely unarmed.

This sentence right here. Your going to carry a 870 when you cant carry your ccw. If you have time to go to your truck grab and then load your 870. You have enought time to exit the situation, and thier would be no need for the 870, that is what a jury is going to look at if you happen to shoot someone. There are some legality issues with this. We are not trying to be mean but common sense should be used, especially when firearms are involved.